Walmart Shoplifting Suspect Leads Police on Chase

A man who ran from police after allegedly shoplifting from was caught Monday after a brief chase.

Michael Reynolds, 52, was taken into custody at about 11:12 a.m. just east of the northbound on-ramp to Interstate 15 at Murrieta Hot Springs Road, Murrieta police Lt. Rob Firmes confirmed.

Murrieta police got a call from Walmart at about 10:56 a.m. about the alleged shoplifting, and were able to provide a description, Firmes said.

Police then received information from a citizen about the direction in which the suspect was seen running, the lieutenant said.

Officers caught up with the man, later identified as Reynolds, in a hilly area just east of the freeway on-ramp, he said.

Reynolds, who Firmes said was out on bail for a previous arrest, was booked at Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of burglary, evading officers and probation violation. He was being held on $25,000 bail, jail records indicated.

Reynolds allegedly took lighters and a razor from Walmart, police said.